Dr. Russe Wilflingseder Katharina

Dr. Katharina Russe Wilflingseder
Rekonstruktive Chirurgie Ordination und Laserzentrum Innsbruck, Austria

Facial rejuvenation evolved: an algorithm for combining noninvasive, minimalinvasive and invasive procedures

Katharina Russe-Wilflingseder1, Elisabeth Russe2
1Plastic Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgery, Lasercenter Innsbruck, Austria
2Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzige Brüder, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria.

Background and objectives: Non-surgical facial rejuvenation is one of the top five non-surgical procedures and increasing in numbers. The aim of this study is to show our algorithm in the combination of non-, minimal- and invasive procedures for facial rejuvenation.
Materials and methods: Over 600 patients between 30 and 70 years received non-, minimal- and invasive treatments for facial rejuvenation in a Plastic Surgery Clinic. Selection of procedure depended on grade of photodamage, rhytids, laxity, unwanted fat deposits and volume loss as well as patients’ preferences.
Pulsed-dye-laser (PDL 585/595) and ablative and/or ablative-fractional Co2-laser (AFR) with focus on photodamage and textural improvement as well as fiber-based-side-firing-1440nm-laser and needle- based-temperature-controlled radiofrequency (RF-microneedling) with focus on skin tightening and fat removal were used. Treatments were performed either as stand-alone or combined procedures. Superficial peels, toxins, fillers or invasive procedures like autologous macro-, micro- or nano fat grafts, blepharoplasties and submental neck lifts were added if requested. Photo documentation and clinical evaluation was performed before and after treatments with a follow up of up to 25 years.
Results: Patients in the 30’s showed satisfying results after treatments with PDL and AFR in combination with superficial peels and toxins. Treatments for patients in the 40’s had to be repeated with more focus on AFR, toxins and fillers. RF-microneedling or fiber-based 1440nm laser treatment for skin tightening and submental fat removal was added frequently. Patients older than 50 years needed more invasive procedures like blepharoplasties, submental neck lifts and fat grafting in addition to the non-or minimal invasive lasers and EBD’s.
Conclusion: The combination of non-invasive or minimal-invasive lasers and EBD’s with toxins, fillers, blepharoplasties and fat grafting provides a non-surgical face lift with no to minimal downtime and side effects and enables a natural look over years.

Scurt CV

Katharina Russe-Wilflingseder is a board certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon and a board certified General Surgeon. She completed her residency in General and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Hospital of Innsbruck, Austria.
Since 1986 she is operating her privately owned clinic and laser center in Innsbruck, Austria and is specialized in Aesthetic Plastic and Laser Surgery.
Katharina Russe-Wilflingseder is a well-known expert in laser surgery. She has published and lectured on national and international basis and has organized many national and international conferences (e.g. LaserInnsbruck 2008 through 2014) and workshops.
She is a member of the Austrian Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Austrian Society of General Surgery and renowned professional international societies such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (fellow), International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (national secretary for Austria).